Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmie Sellers.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always remember my dad having a camera or a tape recorder in his hand ready to capture or record those moments that would soon be great memories! I think him doing that had a greater influence on me more than I realized.
I didn’t really get in to photography until college, and even at that it wasn’t something that I wanted to do for a career. I actually went to Auburn University (War Eagle!) with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I did take a class at Auburn where I learned more about the composition of an image rather than taking a quick shot of the image without much thought. I guess you could say it wasn’t until I had my first child that I really started picking up the camera and showing more interest. I actually had a good friend take my oldest daughter’s pictures until she was a year old. She was doing black and white film and then hand tinting them. I loved the look of the images and was very interested in trying that out myself. My enjoyment for painting as well as taking photos were all wrapped up in one!
In 2003, I started really pursuing the art of photography, and my friend mentored me along the way as I developed my talents as a photographer. It wasn’t long after that when my friend discovered she had breast cancer and passed away about a year later. I have her to thank for helping me through all my questions and concerns and her willingness to give of her time to do so!
When I began my business, it was agreed that my husband would handle the business side, and I would be the one behind the camera and developing the relationships with my clients, which I saw as very important. I started out with black and white film and hand tinting and set up a dark room in my bathroom, having many late and stressful nights in that room!! I always said I would never go digital and stay true to film, but I soon realized that I could not keep up with my workflow using film, so I reluctantly made a decision to switch to digital. It was definitely the best decision for me, but I do miss film.
Well, I believe that is it in a nutshell! Coming back to what I said in the beginning, I guess you could say my dad showed me the importance of capturing life as it happens whether he and I realized it or not!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There is a great deal to learn owning your own business. It takes time to figure out how to “successfully” run a business, and even at that it can always improve. I think I struggled mostly with balancing my time with work and family. There was a time when I was so consumed in my work and over booking that I neglected my family and my health. My girls were making comments about me always being on the computer and that I never had time to spend with them! That was a huge wake up call for me! In addition, I struggled with my health because I was so stressed trying to keep up with my workflow and trying to juggle my family responsibilities as a wife and mother. I needed to find a balance quickly, so I had to learn what my limitations were and to stick to it!
Please tell us about Sellers Photography.
When I started my photography business, I specialized in newborns, children, families, and high school seniors. As time went on, I realized my enjoyment came mostly from photographing children, families, and high school seniors, with seniors being at the top of the list! It takes a great deal of time and patience when photographing newborns, and I knew it wasn’t fair to keep doing those sessions when my heart wasn’t in it. I really enjoy the seniors! They are so much fun to work with, and that seems to be most of my clientele.
What am I most proud of? I would have to say a highlight for me would be having one of my images featured in the movie “We Bought a Zoo” with Matt Damon. One of my clients, Maggie Jones, was one of the main actresses in that movie. Cameron Crowe, the director, had asked to use one of the images I had taken of her when she was younger, and of course, I said yes! It was full screen!!
What sets me apart? I provide images that are very natural and not “doctored” up. I have had many clients choose me because of that. I want to always keep my clients true to who they are!
I would also have to say that it is very important to me to build a relationship with my clients when they come to me. I don’t want to see them as just another number! I want to be the one they choose to come back to when they need a photographer, and it’s always encouraging to see that!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My grandfather was an avid fisherman and would always be on the water if he wasn’t working. During the summers, I was just about the only grandchild that would get up at 5am in the morning and endure the summer heat out in a boat all day and actually enjoy going. I loved it! I had time with my favorite granddad, and I always loved that feeling after catching a fish! I kept going with him through my 20’s until he was no longer physically able to go. Those were great memories!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sellersphotography.com
- Phone: 678-552-7660
- Email: info@sellersphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sellersphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sellersphotography
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